Chelsea handed Wenger one of his most demoralizing defeats as Arsenal manager as his 1,000th game ended in a 6-0 rout, and the referee also endured embarrassment at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues earned their biggest league victory under Jose Mourinho after the leaders raced into a 2-0 lead in just seven minutes through goals from Samuel Eto'o and Andre Schuerrle.

Wenger failed to show for his post match media conference, with a media officer from the club claiming the team bus had to leave quickly, but later admitted the Gunners title hopes had taken a battering.

"It was a nightmare. It leaves us in a very bad situation [in the title race], but we want to respond," he said.

"We had two difficult away games at Tottenham and Chelsea.

"If we had played two draws, we'd have two points.

“It was a nightmare”

Arsene Wenger

"Having won one, we have three points. But today is a huge disappointment of course.

"When you don't turn up in a game of this stature - nobody takes that easy."

It was also Arsenal's third big away loss against its direct title rivals this season, following a 6-3 defeat at Manchester City and 5-1 drubbing at Liverpool.